WE’RE LAUNCHING A TECHNOLOGY AND HIGH GROWTH TEAM IN LONDON TO CONTINUE OUR MARCH ON THE HIGH GROWTH MARKET. AND TO HEAD IT UP, WE’VE WELCOMED A NEW PARTNER TO CP: STEVE LEITH.
The world was a very different place when we first met Steve – albeit relatively recently – but we know a perfect fit when we see one.
He previously spent 20 years at Grant Thornton in London, leading their Fast Growth Technology team, creating and expanding the firm’s footprint in the high growth and venture-funded tech space – across the capital and UK-wide. And he’s mentored at a string of major events hosted by global accelerators and tech-focused co-working communities.
In London and other major cities, the biggest accountancy firms are struggling for capacity. They’re struggling to commit to dates for their clients. And they’re struggling to deliver the close, relationship-led service that scale-ups need, at fee levels that make sense.
As a result, the landscape is changing. And firms with the expertise and capacity to support scale-ups and high growth companies are in demand.
THEN, THERE’S THE TECH SECTOR
It’s the fastest-growing sector in the UK. And it’s growing almost six times faster than the UK economy as a whole. In another record-breaking year, investments in the UK tech sector soared to £10.1bn in 2019 – a £3.1bn increase on 2018’s figures which were, at the time, the highest in UK history.
The number of rapidly growing UK tech companies has been soaring too, with venture capital investment increasing by 44% in 2019 – marking the third year in a row that growth in VC investment has topped 40%.
The last few weeks have shown us just how integral tech is as the glue holding the UK’s businesses together. And now, we want to breathe new life into the market, giving high growth companies the service and the expertise they’re craving – differentiating ourselves through our serial-award-winning, culture-first mindset, and the awesome people it attracts.
STEVE’S A HUGE PART OF THAT. AND NOW HE’S ON BOARD, HE SAID:
“I joined Cooper Parry because of the clear and tangible cultural alignment between this firm, the technology sector and high growth companies. Founders, entrepreneurs and CFOs need advisors and teams who can relate to the journey they’re on, understand the ecosystem in which they operate, and have a strong desire to be part of, and support, their growth.
“Cooper Parry isn’t your average accounting firm. And that’s the point. We’re delivering an experience that stands out from all the other audit and tax firms on your list, driven by a culture that’s unlike any other firm’s. Because ultimately, engaged people provide the best service. And that’s why Cooper Parry are one of the fastest growing accountancy firms in the UK.
“The Technology and High Growth team in London will be partnering with accelerator programmes, co-working spaces, Founder and CFO groups, and working alongside venture capital and private equity funds as preferred advisors to their portfolio companies. So, if your company, programme or portfolio is looking for support from audit and tax specialists with experience and a strong interest in the high growth tech space, let us know.”
OUR CEO, ADE CHEATHAM, SAID:
“In bringing in Steve to lead this team in London, we have someone who is highly aware of the depth of service and support scale-ups need, and someone who is highly experienced at bringing the ‘whole firm’ to clients from Seed & Series A stage, to later stage private equity.
“Steve deals with the challenges of rapidly scaling high growth companies and has a strong network in the space across the founder and investor ecosystem. We’re hugely committed to the tech sector and very well aligned culturally to support Founders and CFOs of high growth companies in London and beyond.”
